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Happy in Your Own Skin By Herbert M. Goldberg, M.D., F.A.C.S.  Herbert M. Goldberg earned a B.S. in
Biological Sciences and an M.D. from the University of South Carolina Medical School in
1967. After completing a general surgery internship and residency at the University
of Wisconsin Medical School in Milwaukee, he spent two years in the U.S. Navy practicing
general surgery. He was a teaching fellow in plastic and reconstructive surgery and
resident at the University of South Carolina Medical School. Certified by the
American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
Dr. Goldberg was a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. He was in private
practice in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Encino, California, has written for
national journals, and presented papers at local, regional and national conferences.
Since ending his practice two years ago, Herbert Goldberg has traveled extensively,
volunteering his services in Vietnam, Tanzania, Ecuador and Guatemala.
The desire to look good is as old as Adam and Eve. Although the mature woman is targeted by marketers for aesthetic products aimed at maintaining smoother, more "youthful" skin, men 50 and older are often interested in the subject today. It is not mere vanity. The motivation to look as good as one can is genetic, as innate as the desire for food, nurturing and procreation. Simply, when we perceive ourselves as attractive, it has a great impact on our actual physical and emotional well-being and on our productivity, especially in a competitive, youth-oriented world. Indeed, psychologists concur that how we perceive ourselves is significant in our formulation of ego and self-esteem. What can we, as mature men, do for ourselves that will improve the appearance of our skin, to put our best face forward, so to speak? In addition to the obvious lifestyle choices in exercise, diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and adequate rest and relaxation, here is an overview of proven, readily available methods to maintain skin elasticity and smoothness in our 50s, 60s and beyond. We begin with the simplest. 1. Prevention. Taking care of the skin surface is of utmost importance. The earlier we begin the better, but it's never too late to start. Avoiding or limiting sun exposure, especially for those of us who are light complected and "sun sensitive" will reduce discoloration, wrinkling and the loss of elasticity. Moisturing the skin frequently, using a soap with a moisturizer, and a good quality sunscreen can all help prevent dryness and sun damage. It bears repeating: wearing protective clothing and limiting exposure to the sun before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. also help. Avoid smoking which is known to damage the skin. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables as they contain antioxidants which may improve the smoothness and elasticity of the skin. Keep the skin itself well-hydrated and avoid see-sawing weight because the skin stretches and then may droop. Avoid harsh chemicals, even the alcohols in after shave lotions and colognes, which can cause drying and irritation. 2. Self-treatment of the skin using mild chemical peels, such as Vitamin C and retinols, will gently improve its condition. Vitamin A may also be effective to a slight degree. Some of the most effective products, e.g. trademarked Retin-A or Renova, require a prescription and, at the very least, should be used with the advice and consent of a professional. Available in varying strengths, this medication must be used in a specific way for long periods of time. It is best applied to clean, dry face skin, left on several hours (usually overnight), and combined with sunscreen and moisturizer each morning. It takes several months to become effective and there are occasional side effects such as skin dryness, redness and irritation with sun exposure. It will improve the condition of the skin for most people if they commit to following the instructions appropriately. The face is usually the only area of the body that has shown improvement with use of this product. Alpha-hydroxy acids, some of which are available without prescription, gently remove surface skin and can improve skin quality by exposing the smoother, more moist and clearer, deeper skin layers. The stronger acids administered by professionals have better, more dramatic results, but also more side effects. There are many products available, some seductively marketed and quite expensive, that do very little clinically, so "let the buyer beware." 3. Physician administered surface peels and injections -- Chemical peels such as trichloracetic acid (TCA), dermabrasion, strong phenol peels, "Obagi" (TM) peels, and laser peels will, in most cases, result in improvement of the mature male skin. These methods are more complex, costly, take time to heal, and can occasionally be associated with complications such as scarring, bleaching of the skin, uneven skin texture or color, or minimal improvement. Injections of botox, which temporarily paralyzes small areas of muscle, and injections of collagen or fat, can smooth out small areas of wrinkling when used judiciously. All of these techniques require administration and supervision by a professional who has qualifications, specific training and experience to manage patients throughout the course of treatment. They are, of course, temporary. 4. Plastic surgery. These procedures can be expensive, take time to heal as well as to demonstrate a final result, and are occasionally associated with complications, some of which might be serious. Face and neck lifts, eyelid/brow lifts, hair transplants, fat suctioning and other body contouring and reconstruction can all result in quite significant improvements. Again, it is advisable to seek a well-trained, knowledgeable, experienced and caring surgeon. Psychological adjustment to major changes requires realistic expectations, a good support system and a good deal of patience. Before making a decision, always understand the nature, purpose, risks and alternatives to any planned procedure, as well as what can be achieved and what may be unrealistic. While there is no quick, easy method to reverse the biological clock, there is always room to improve one's appearance. At some level, acceptance is perhaps the most important aspect of being happy in one's own skin. Home | True
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